Category: Education, History, Disparities (Other)
Objective: The International Parkinson’s Disease Nurse and Advanced Practice Study Group within the International Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Society conducted this survey to characterize the global PD nursing workforce, examine variation in education, prescribing autonomy, and clinical responsibilities, and identify gaps in training, support, and role standardization.
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) requires complex multidisciplinary management addressing both motor and non-motor symptoms. Nurses and advanced practice providers (APPs) increasingly contribute to PD care globally; however, their training pathways, scope of practice, and integration within care teams remain poorly characterized.
Method: An international cross-sectional survey of nurses and advanced practice providers involved in PD care was conducted (n=41) across multiple continents, primarily North America (58.5%) and Europe (29.3%). The survey evaluated workforce characteristics, education and training, scope of practice, involvement in advanced therapies, and perceived barriers to role development.
Results: Respondents included Parkinson’s nurse specialists, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, physician associates, and advanced practice nurses. The workforce was highly educated, with 51.2% holding a master’s degree and 12.2% doctoral training. Nearly one-third (31.7%) reported more than 15 years of PD clinical experience.
Medication management was central to practice: 70.7% reported autonomous prescribing. Involvement in advanced therapies was common, including apomorphine infusion management (65.9%) and deep brain stimulation care (58.5%). Nurse-led clinics were reported by 65.9% of respondents, and all routinely assessed non-motor symptoms.
Despite these advanced roles, key barriers included lack of formal training pathways (46.3%), funding limitations (43.9%), staffing shortages (41.5%), and prescribing restrictions (34.1%).
Conclusion: PD nurses and advanced practice providers represent a highly skilled workforce delivering complex clinical management and multidisciplinary coordination. However, substantial international variation in training, role recognition, and practice autonomy persists. These findings highlight the need for global competency frameworks, structured educational pathways, and strengthened professional networks to support and expand the PD nursing workforce.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
K. Papesh, C. Goas, N. Bryden, B. Aparente, F. Chmell, J. Miravite, A. Roszmann, L. Wei, J. Nguyen, E. Zinn, C. Kyinn, D. Tsui, ML. Greschner, S. Gould. Global Roles of Nurses and Advanced Practice Providers in Parkinson’s Disease Care: Findings from an International Workforce Survey [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2026; 41 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/global-roles-of-nurses-and-advanced-practice-providers-in-parkinsons-disease-care-findings-from-an-international-workforce-survey/. Accessed October 1, 2026.« Back to 2026 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/global-roles-of-nurses-and-advanced-practice-providers-in-parkinsons-disease-care-findings-from-an-international-workforce-survey/